Bobby Markowitz unrolls a set of blueprints. There are three or four different schematics covering the same site plan. He points to where he has planned waterfalls and ponds; where the trees and shrubs will stand; how he will "borrow the landscape" from the tree line of a neighboring property and incorporate it into his design; and how the "sightlines" have been planned across the property as one enters through the gate and proceeds up the driveway; also, how the views have been developed from strategic windows in the house. Some of the schematics indicate specialized night-lighting, irrigation and drainage systems. Others indicate stonework, placed boulders, pathways and sculptural elements.
Now Markowitz shows the owner how the lot has been orginally planned by engineers. A parking lot covered what could be a gorgeous front garden; massive grading would be required to level the gently sloping land. "Not necessary," says Markowitz. By relocating the proposed parking area to one side (under an existing shade tree), no soil need be removed, and in the resultant space, waterfalls and cascading plants will abound.
"It's a pleasure to help plan a site before the house is built," says Markowitz, who along with associate Dresila Ho appreciates the foresight of their clientele. "Much of our work includes remakes of older houses; people buy or inherit them and then decide to utilize the land around the houses again. But you can see from the foregoing example that the entire use of the property can be much better integrated when a landscape architect is consulted along with the architect and enigneer."
With coastal property becoming increasingly rare and expensive, Markowitz has found that people are more concerned with planning their homesite for maximum enjoyment. He has also found that the Montegery Bay lifestyle is lived outdoors as well as indoors and that clients are particularly concerned with the interface between the interior and exterior design of a project. Because of his wide familiarity with building marterials (not only does he design the landscape, but he also oversees all the details of the installation), the final garden nestles with the house. Because of this personal attention, Earthcraft Landscape Design is thriving.
Markowitz's style is profesional, yet his peripheral awareness and spontaneity belie a controlled inner wildness. And it is this effect of "controlled wildness" that he and his clients enjoy acheiving.
"A lawn is a million of the same plant - not necessarily exciting," says Markowitz. It's very high maintenance, with mowing and watering. These days people want something interesting, something they can relate to and be part of. They are seeking artistic ideas; for example, compare a postage stamp lawn to curving, sweeping mounds with dramatic boulder arrangements, pathways with cascading plants and possibly an inviting patio surrounded by color and texture.
After 15 years of developing his site-specific landscape design style, Markowitz is content and looks forward to more projects of land beautification.